Keaton Parks is keen to be a leader for New York City FC in 2024.
The midfielder recently celebrated signing a new contract with the Club having first moved to the Five Boroughs in 2019 from Portuguese giants Benfica.
Now 26, he is eager to step into a more senior role within the squad as the Boys in Blue look to return to the top of the Eastern Conference this season.
“I want to be a leader. I want to be more vocal,” Parks said.
“I want to stand out and be a leader by example, but also by speaking more and getting everybody on the same page.
“I think [the lessons from 2023] is also; don't take any game any second for granted. Every game counts toward the end of the season.
“We could see that as we were closing down on making the playoffs or not reaching them.
“I think that's a big lesson. I think we need to fire off right from the beginning like we have been in preseason so far and I'm just excited to get started again.”
As part of that goal to be more of a leader, Parks outlined some of his strategy.
“It's not just on the field. It's not just here in the locker room,” he said. “It's not just at the facility. It’s off the field.
“I have to learn to be more vocal and to read my teammates and understand who needs what because not everybody acts the same and responds the same.
“There's a lot more homework that goes into it.”
He went on to add: “Thank you for referring to me as young that was very nice.
“I definitely don't feel so young anymore, especially in this group. Like you said, there's a lot of young guys around me and I think it's just a natural time for me to take on that leadership role.
“But at the same time, I do want to do that and I enjoy it. I want to help the team grow as well as the young guys who are coming in and teach them from my experiences.
“I'm excited. I want to do this and I'm happy to play off all of my experiences because I've been through a lot here and abroad and I'm looking forward to growing in my role as well as helping the younger ones grow.”
Parks also took time to reflect on his decision to extend his contract with NYCFC.
“It was for me an easy choice,” Parks said.
“I feel like this is where I belong. This is where I want to be. New York is my home now. I've loved the last five years of my life and my career.
“I'm just looking forward to some more of the same - more trophies, more wins, with more excitement in the Club.
“I'm happy to be here and this is this is exactly where I'm supposed to be.”
